Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene open the 69th Monaco Red Cross Gala
There was a summertime heat wave on the red carpet at the Salle des Étoiles, which hosted the 69th Monaco Red Cross Gala. A rendezvous that has become historic and inevitably glamorous, as it was headed by Prince Albert II, president of the Monaco Red Cross, and Princess Charlene, in a dress designed by Donatella Versace. Around them, 800 guests gathered to participate in this charity evening (1,200 euros per ticket) which allows the Red Cross of the Principality to carry out local and international actions.
Since the first “Night of the Red Cross” on 10 August 1948, in the former ‘Summer Sporting’, hosted by Maurice Chevalier, the evenings have always been similar and perfect affairs.
The princely table was an impeccable mix. Around Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene were Tour de France winner Christopher Froome and his wife, actress Monica Belluci, host Maïtena Biraben and comedian François Cluzet, the evening’s presenters. Also at the table were aeronaut Bertrand Piccard and his wife; the artist Susan Kelly Von Medicus; William Von Medicus and his wife; the Secretary General of the International Federation of the Red Cross, Elhadj As Sy; Professor Barbara Wildhaber, member of the Red Cross International Committee and Didier Trono; IAAF President, Sebastien Coe and his wife; and Michael Smurfit, Honorary Irish Consul to Monaco.
Princess Charlene of Monaco to serve as Patron to Lifesaving SA
South African-born Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco has been announced as Patron of Lifesaving South Africa, at an event held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, in Umhlanga, on Wednesday.
“It is a great honor for me to be named Patron of Lifesaving South Africa, an organization which shares the same vision as my Foundation and one that I have always been inspired by. Your commitment to drowning prevention is remarkable and the spirit of volunteering that you are instilling in our young people is infectious,” said HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco, formerly Charlene Wittstock). – “During those years, I learnt the importance of discipline, team spirit, dedication and respect for the water, oneself and others; values that I know LSA lifeguards appreciate and demonstrate every day,” continued the Princess.
Gavin Varejes, President of The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation SA, also announced the distribution of 200 rescue boards, valued in excess of R2m from the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation SA to Lifesaving SA, with thanks to Cell C and Richmark Holdings. This will see every LSA affiliated to lifesaving club in South Africa receiving rescue boards to continue their critical service to the community.
Richard Marangoni, Police Commissioner of Monaco, awarded in the presence of Prince Albert II
On Monday evening, in the presence of Prince Albert II, Serge Telle, Minister of State, and high authorities of the Principality, Marine de Carne-Trécesson, Ambassador of France, presented Richard Marangoni, Police Commissioner of Monaco, the insignia of Knight of the National Order of Merit.
The National Order of Merit is a French order, established on 3 December 1963 by General de Gaulle. It rewards distinguished military or civil activity, rendered to the French nation.
Maison d’Amélie receives a Princely visit
In order to address the numerous requests for accommodating disabled people at the shelter in Annot (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) by the association “Monaco Disease Power”, Prince Albert II went to Annot the last week, to see the progress of the extension for himself. Upon his arrival, he was welcomed by Muriel Natali-Laure, president of the association, and Jean Ballester, mayor of Annot. Before visiting the shipyard, the Sovereign was keen to greet, one by one, each resident of the establishment and their families, not to mention the management staff who are completely devoted to the well-being of their guests.
Prince Albert II visited the site along with the heads of the companies who built the new premises, requesting numerous details, questioning the duration of the works and their challenges.On his departure, the Sovereign received a sculpture made by the boarders, a work created under the guidance of sculptor Jean François Bollié.
Aquariums of the World against Marine Litter
The Oceanographic Museum launched the “Aquariums of the World against Marine Litter” campaign. With the help of an audience’s applause, the “Aquariums of the World against Marine Litter” campaign was officially launched last Thursday at the Oceanographic Museum. Robert Calcagno, Director of the Museum, Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, and Doug Cress, Director of the World Association of Zoo and Aquarium, took to the stage under the eyes of Prince Albert II, who concluded the conference himself.
All the ideas are good, like the use of social networks through the #OurOcean hashtag, and some especially strong commitments. Monaco, for example, is committed to ban single-use plastic bags and to creating a “network of local players against plastic pollution in the Mediterranean”, called Beyond Plastic Med. For the occasion, Philippe Pasqua presented his work “Profanation”, created by using refuse recovered at sea.
“Thanks to the mobilization of more than 80 aquariums, and in particular, thanks to the actions of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, this campaign will make its voice heard widely, in Europe and beyond,” concluded Prince Albert II. The course is therefore set to Malta which will host, on 5 and 6 October 2017, the fourth edition of the Our Ocean conference.
Saint-Saëns at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Music lovers are people who nourish their five senses and their “Saint-Saëns”. This particular composer was on the program for a concert given in the magnificent court of the Princely Palace of Monaco, in the presence of Prince Albert II. Saint-Saëns was also a personal friend of the Sovereign’s grandfather, Prince Albert I, who often received him in his palace. The Bacchanale from his opera Samson and Dalila was performed – a moment of good humor with oriental accents. The 3rd Violin Concerto was also performed, with soloist Daishin Kashimoto, from Japan. He is none other than the solo-violinist for the mythical Berlin Philharmonic. The Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo Orchestra delivered a superb performance, under the direction of conductor Kazuki Yamada.
Albert of Monaco: Confident in Jacques and Gabriella, little swimmers
As he does most summers, the Monegasque Sovereign gave an interview to American weekly ‘People Magazine’. He talked about his confidence in his twins and especially about their swimming sessions with their mom: “They spend a two good hours in the pool in the morning and again in the afternoon. I try to attend the afternoon session every day,” he said about the privileged moments.
Notably active in drowning prevention through the foundation in her name, Princess Charlene of Monaco, a former international level swimmer (medalist at the 1999 Pan-African Games and the 2002 Commonwealth Games) doesn’t only teach them how to swim, she is turning them into real swimming champions!
Prince Albert talked about the rapid progress of their children (who have received instructions about safety and survival in the water) and the skill they acquired, from the age of 8 months. “The other day, he swam three meters without any help and Gabriella is not far behind. The pool we have in Roc Agel (summer residence and peace haven for the Princely couple, near La Turbie) is a pool which he can get in and out on his own, without anyone helping him,” he said proudly.
In addition to public appearances in the Principality of Monaco, during the National Day or the celebrations of Saint Devote, Jacques and Gabriella remain particularly protected from view, and it is no coincidence. In the same interview for People Magazine, Prince Albert of Monaco evoked the lessons given to him by his mother Princess Grace and how to behave in the face of a sometimes intrusive infatuation from the press: “Mother taught us that we have to do our utmost to protect our privacy,” he said. But you also have to face the press at times. “When we went on a family vacation, we took an hour out of our morning on the first day for the photographers, we gave them this time and in return they left us alone during our holidays. Giving them a little time seemed to work, maybe it will continue.” Perhaps we’ll see the twins in a family setting this summer?
Princess Fürstenberg presents her artwork in the presence of Prince Albert II
Princess Ira of Fürstenberg hosted a dinner last week on the fifth floor of the Yacht Club of Monaco, in the presence of the Sovereign. A night concerning art, since she presented her latest creations which mix precious stones and representations of animals.
From India to Italy, Ira de Fürstenberg is always looking for materials, craftsmen and ideas to continue creating her collection of unique objects. Next year, she will have a big exhibition in a Venetian palazzo.
Sources : www.iol.co.za & www.newmyroyals.com
